Anyone who knows me at all well knows how much I hate shopping for things*.
I don’t mean the weekly groceries, although that can be tiresome in the extreme, especially if the place is full of children and their harrassed parents, or women standing gossiping right in the middle of the aisle, or teenagers choosing their alcopops, or just, you know .. people.
No, top of the list of things I hate shopping for would be mobile phones, and close behind comes white goods. I mean, come on – who wants to spend more than a nano-second looking at rows and rows of washing machines trying to decide which of the nasty, boring cost-an-arm-and-a-leg things is the least nasty? Good grief, the tedium!! And just don’t get me started on furniture. It took six months recently for Other Half to get me into a furniture warehouse for long enough to choose a sofa!
Part of it is the salesmen, of course. Now, the perfect salesman is one who watches from a distance (preferably about a quarter of a mile) and just exactly at the moment you want to ask him a question, materialises at your side, knows his stuff and talks to you without rubbing his hands together. If he has a sense of humour, that’s a definite plus, and I might actually buy something from him. But he is a Rare Thing.
Right now, we’re in the market for a treadmill, on account of Other Half has cancelled my gym membership**. I figure with the iGallop, a treadmill, and a few weights, I can manage to keep myself reasonably fit – but only if the treadmill is the right treadmill. I want a treadmill which folds out of the way. I want a treadmill which isn’t flimsy. I want a treadmill with the deck and the hand grips in the right place and I want one without unnecessary frills.
We looked at one yesterday. For me to be able to hold the hand grips on this not-particularly-cheap item, I was treading on the plastic shield which covers up the front end of the moving belt thingy. I need to be able to hold the handles because I have seriously weak ankles, and I need to have those handles available. They’re no use six inches in front of me, on account of if I do fall, I’m going to be shooting backwards at several miles an hour.
Shame about that, because the salesman was one of the good guys who actually knew what he was talking about and had the intelligence and wit to be able to crack jokes and laugh about his equipment. I like that in a man. Sadly, the one he had which was good for both of us had a huge fancy chunk of metal and plastic on top, designed to hold two water bottles and an iPod and featuring a large pair of speakers. Yes, we’re still talking about the treadmill, folks. Do try to keep up.
So why would anyone need speakers? There is only one reason I can think of – with speakers you can have the volume up nice and loud and hopefully no-one will be able to hear you sing along. However, I don’t know about you, but when I’m on the treadmill, I don’t have enough breath to sing much above a hoarse croak anyway.
This afternoon will see us in yet another sports equipment shop looking for that elusive simple, well-made, folding treadmill that has a belt that goes round and a button to make an incline with. Oh, and a simple read-out which tells you how fast you’re going and how long you’ve been at it. And nothing much else. Except, hopefully, a guarantee. Oh yeah, and a salesman who doesn’t make me want to use one of my knives on him in a completely inappropriate way.
Wish us luck. All of us. Salesman included.
* Except knives
** I was finding it harder and harder to get myself down there three times a week.
I empathise however are you ready for this other than flowers or food I cannot stand to shop why because a month later I will want to buy the upgrade..
sandys last blog post..Hello Sandy – Let’s talk …
Be careful with buying treadmills. The most important feature is one you haven’t mentioned–the motor. You need to find out about the horsepower of the motor (is that a term you use in England?). And there are two kinds of HP, and sadly I don’t remember the name of one you want. It’s not “constant horsepower.” (You can get info on the web about buying treadmills.) Anyway, if you don’t get the right one, your treadmill will burn out rather quickly. Our first one burned out in 18 months after 600 miles of use–and the repairman told us we were lucky because we got almost twice the normal wear on it. (He was an independent repairman, not affiliated with any brand, so he wasn’t trying to sell us anything.) It was a $600 treadmill so that was a dollar a mile. The next one we bought was four times as expensive, but it is guaranteed for 10 years. The repairman told us that an inexpensive treadmill has a motor the size of a soup can, and a good one has one the size of a coffee can. That was a comparison I could understand.
Oh, and here’s a tip to prolong the life of your treadmill. Do not stand on it and then hit start. Start it up at a very slow speed, let the motor get the belt running, and then step on it (carefully, of course). If you don’t, you are working your motor far too much by making it move your weight when it is cold, and you will burn out the motor much faster that way.
Last bit of treadmill info, after you’ve had it for a while, if you start to notice the belt slipping or the speed becoming erratic, get it checked right away. It means you probably have a loose belt, and again, that can cause excessive wear on the motor.
Just call me “sadder but wiser treadmill gal.”
P.S. In case you’re wondering, the kind we have that has the long guarantee is a Precor.
Ruth Hull Chatliens last blog post..Meet My Mom
The amount I know about treadmills will fit on a flea’s can of mascara, let alone a soup can or coffee can. I’m with you on the shopping front as well, I hate it. Except vegetables. I love buying vegetables. Bought some today, as a matter of fact.
Lolas last blog post..What I’ve been reading
Indeed, I do feel for you. Buying major appliances like washers and dryers are not inspirational, but a treadmill… Oh my.
My last encounter window-shopping in a furniture store involved a salesman who cornered me, introduced himself and then asked me my first name. I wasn’t sure if this was for business or personal purposes…
It was a little unnerving.
All I wanted to do was look at some sofas, not make a new best friend. Ah well…
Jenns last blog post..P.O. also Stands for Post Office
:: Except knives:: That made me laugh!
I usually do all my window shopping on line. It’s better because I can read all sorts of information and comparison sites before choosing. I then make for the shop that stocks what I have chosen. This eliminates the hours of trudging around and being irritated by salesmen who know nothing about what they are trying to sell me.
Mmmm, I’m with you about shopping. I only go into a city these days if absolutely necessary; last time it was Exeter, to the newish Apple store, where one clueless assistant (thankfully only one, the rest were fine) nearly had me tearing my hair out. I wanted a couple of keyboard covers. You wouldn’t think this would have presented too much of a challenge but . . .
(Oh, and I got my treadmill on Freecycle; so far my ankles are still working and so is the treadmill but I will proceed with caution having read your post and Ruth’s comment.)
Sandy – At least buying an upgrade doesn’t mean you have to start all over again!
Ruth – Ah, thank you. I wondered why the salesman was going on about the length of the guarantee on the motor! I shall bear that in mind. Needless to say, we didn’t find what we wanted today and we’re still looking. I think what you’re talking about with the motor is ‘continuous duty’ as opposed to ‘max duty’? Thanks for that, it’s not something I’d have thought of if you hadn’t mentioned it!
Lola – I knew about as much as you do about treadmills but I’m learning. I’m with you on vegetables though. It’s my favourite part of the supermarket (apart from the books and magazines, that is)!
Jenn – I hate salesmen like that. I’m just so tempted to play with them … in the same way as a cat does with a mouse.
Babs – But it’s true about the knives! LOL! Window shopping online is great! I do agree. I think it’s a great way to cut down on extra stress.
60/16 – Hahaha! The Apple store – supposedly staffed by geeks, but I haven’t had good luck with them, either. I’m glad the treadmill you got on Freecycle worked out well for you! We picked one up, but it ended up at the tip anyway. Turned out to be manual, very hard work, and in any case falling apart so as to be dangerous.
I hate salesman … with a passion ….. !
moons last blog post..Whoooooa Baby !!!
Sorry to butt into your blog, but all is ok in LA, it was quite a big one, but as far as I can tell, no damage done, and no-one hurt. I was a big one, and not nice, lasted about 15 secs and 5.8 on the scale !…. feel free to delete, thought you would want to know x
moons last blog post..Whoooooa Baby !!!
Thanks Moon! Yes, I did want to know, I have several good friends there! Good to know that you’re all OK and no damage. Funny old things, earthquakes, damage doesn’t seem always to relate to the Richter scale, does it?
The earth moved for Mrs Moon! Lucky lady! LOL!
It’s just a freaky sensation, not so much a shake, but a big movement, back and forwards …. gets the heart pumping thats for sure …
Mrs M is a happy girl !
moons last blog post..Whoooooa Baby !!!
Bleh. I hate shopping. For almost everything. Fortunately my life is in an almost perfect rut so I rarely have to hunt for new things. Inspiring, aren’t I?
Jeffs last blog post..Dear Diary – Help Me Rhonda
Shopping is a nightmare. A complete and utter horrible experience.
And shopping for exercise equipment? No. Thank. You.
meleah rebeccahs last blog post..An Office Barbeque And My Book Project.
Ah yes … trying to be fit is going to kill us all.
I dropped my cell phone in the pool the other day. When I went to AT&T to get a new one, the woman was so rude that I finally picked up the pieces of my phone (it was seriously deceased … if you put the battery in, it had seizures) and left, saying I’d come back when a helpful person was available.
TG went back and took care of it for me. But sadly you have to pick out your own treadmill. May the force be with you, luvvy.
Jennys last blog post..Six Fours (And More) … Part One
wow, you just described the perfect salesman…never thought about that, but you are right. i don’t like shopping unless i have money and well….never had none to spend.
i shop online..prefer to do so when i do do so. what?
Ah choices. I hate choices! Why can’t everybody put their heads together and pick a single individual item that has all the features? For me, tho’ I have a lovely stationary bike. It’s situated where I can watch Stargate or I can sit and peddle while reading a book. Something that makes me happy either way :).
On salesmen, we have a delightful one here. We had to go shopping for a new bed a while back, and the guy was perfectly understanding about a family of 6 coming in and bouncing on the beds. (you know the kids had to approve it as well!). He left us alone until we were bouncing on one bed more then the others, then he approached us, and he must have sensed a clean kill because he didn’t even try to pressure us on anything else.
Although I’m pretty sure he was dying to, cause I was drooling all over a couple of the Ashley sectional sofas.
JTs last blog post..Bad Joke Day
Ah yes, I soooo dislike shopping as well. Luckily I have nooo money so shopping really isn’t an option
DrowseyMonkeys last blog post..Wordless Wednesday
Hello, I’m late, I’m always late, I’m very very late on blogs . .something to do with being a day ahead, or 364 days behind, and you all being asleep instead of shopping for treadmills and me needing one badly. Actually, I’d be interested in what you end up buying. I am fat as a house and it’s August on Friday and I’m expecting my daughter home in December and a visitor in January and I desperately want to lose weight without joining a gym and going to boot camp and being shouted at by a size 10 in army fatigues. .(can you sense the panic!) So I thought a treadmill, out on the verandah, until daylight savings at least! Help me Obe Wan Kanobe ..you are my only hope!
As for shopping . . sux . .I’m with DrowseyMonkey . .easy to avoid the shops when you’re skint!
Bainos last blog post..Wireless Wednesday
Moon – I know that feeling. I’ve experienced one or two small quakes in the LA area, but believe it or not, the biggest ones were right here in England! We had a 5 point something earlier this year, epicentre 50 miles away. I had to hang onto the furniture!! And a few years ago we had one the first night we left No 2 son at home alone (aged 15). He was woken up during it by falling out of bed! Poor kid. LOL!
Jeff – Ruts can be good .. if they’re good ruts!
Meleah – I completely agree, but if I just sent OH out to do it, we’d now have a treadmill with handles too far away! ROFL!
Jenny – Mobile phone shops are a pet hate of mine. So much so, that when I needed a new phone, I waited till OH had found one he liked, examined it, thought ‘that’ll do’ and just ordered one the same online.
Valerie – I’ve done a lot of salesman research. I now know not to go shopping in certain places, especially if I am in a bad mood, or one day I’m gonna get arrested. LOL!
JT – Ah, now, that IS a perfect salesman – he deserves an award, especially for restraint about pressuring you into the sofa!! ‘Clean kill’!! I’m SURE that’s how they think, too!
DM – Yeah, I’m aware I’m lucky to have to make a choice, though in this case, it’s cheaper than gym membership, so we’re out to save money. I have high BP you see, so need to keep on top of the cardio exercise, and at my advanced age I need to be thinking about preventing osteoporosis too, and making sure I keep up the weight-bearing stuff.
Hi Baino! – I’ll let you know what we choose, although you’re in Australia, aren’t you? Possibly the same brand won’t be available there. Ruth Hull Chatlien has some good advice in her comment above, though, which will help you find one. We’re leaning towards a Horizon right now. They seem to be solid, nothing fancy, but well made and respected as a basic do-what-it-says-on-the-label type machine.